cover-up

noun

cov·​er-up ˈkə-vər-ˌəp 

1

a

: a device or stratagem for masking or concealing

his garrulousness is a cover-up for insecurity

b

: a usually concerted effort to keep an illegal or unethical act or situation from being made public

2

: a loose outer garment

Synonyms

• blanket
• cloak
• cope
• cover
• covering
• coverture
• curtain
• hood
• mantle
• mask
• pall
• penumbra
• robe
• shroud
• veil
• wraps

Examples of cover-up in a Sentence

that contrived burglary was just a cover-up for murder

Recent Examples on the Web

Ultimately, the fifth and most kindhearted Garvey sister, Grace (Anne-Marie Duff), got the job done, murdering her dastardly husband and staging what appeared to be an effective cover-up with the help of her sisters and neighbor Roger (Michael Smiley). —Jen Chaney, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024

It can be dressed up for a business dinner with a pair of slacks, worn casually with jeans while sightseeing during the day, or thrown over your bathing suit poolside (so there's no need to pack an additional cover-up). —Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2024

Her attorneys, however, claimed that she was framed in a cover-up after O'Keefe was allegedly jumped by people at the Alberts’ house. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024

Advertisement World & Nation Kidnapping, capture, cover-up? —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

cover-up

noun

cov·​er-up

ˈkəv-ə-ˌrəp

: a planned effort to conceal a wrongful act or situation